“I’m a New Yorker born in South Africa. I honor the great craft of millinery and make it relevant for today. My hats are personal, not precious; reminiscent, not retro.”

These are the words of Albertus Swanepoel, the brilliant and beloved milliner, who has died.

Swanepoel was a rare talent recognized for his felt fedoras, woven straw hats, and so much more. Along the way, he received many accolades. In 2008, for example, he was named the runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and the following year, he was nominated for the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design at the CFDA Fashion Awards.

Though he studied graphic design in his native South Africa, the CFDA member decided to switch gears and launch a career in fashion with his award-winning Quartus Manna label in Johannesburg in the 1980s. The designer moved to New York City in 1989, where he trained to become a milliner at the Fashion Institute of Technology under Janine Galimard, who had worked for Cristobal Balenciaga in Paris. He also apprenticed with Lola Hats, and made headwear creations for the theater.

Swanepoel also designed hats for runway shows, among them Thom Browne, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Carolina Herrera,  Tommy Hilfiger, Billy Reid, and Peter Som. Then there were the collaborations with Gap, Target, J. Crew, Stetson and Club Monaco.

“Though out his entire 40-year career, Albertus Swanepoel very much centered on the art and the craft of his creations, as well as making a meaningful connection with consumers via his made-to-measure (1980s) clothing line Quartus Manna and his eponymous haute couture headwear collection – – or with the other noteworthy designers that he collaborated with…helping to amplify their collections with his millinery expertise,” CFDA Executive Vice President Lisa Smilor said. “Known for his warm smiles, kind grace, steadfast integrity and immeasurable talent, Albertus will be well-remembered as a true gentleman who was beloved and respected by all who knew him.”